High performance POSS filled nanocomposites prepared via UV-curing based on 3D stereolithography printing

High performance stereolithography resin (SLR) nanocomposites with different amount of modified polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (m-POSS) nanoparticles, which were synthesized through NH2-POSS and 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, have been prepared. By copolymerization POSS nanoparticles can be grafted onto the polymer chains of the SLR matrix. The modified structure of POSS nanoparticles was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and H-1 NMR. The effects of m-POSS nanoparticles on morphologies, mechanical and thermal properties of SLR nanocomposites were investigated in detail. The results show that the tensile and flexible strength were improved by 36.2% and 40% respectively with the addition of 5% w/w m-POSS nanoparticles compared to pristine SLR. The nanoindentation analysis shows a significant amelioration in hardness and reduced modulus by the introduction of m-POSS nanoparticles. The results from thermal studies reveal that the incorporation of m-POSS nanoparticles can significantly enhance the glass transition temperature (T-g), degradation temperature, char yield, and heat distortion temperature of nanocomposites. Moreover, the incorporation of m-POSS nanoparticles would not only improve the mechanical and thermal properties, but also maintain the high fabrication accuracy of the SLR for 3D stereolithography printing.